What should be considered between outdoor gas and electric heaters?
Electric vs Gas Heating: Which offers the best outdoor heating?
Electric vs Gas Heating: Which offers the best outdoor heating?
Electric and gas heaters are the two most popular outdoor heating options in Australia.
Choosing the perfect outdoor heating system.
Choosing the right outdoor heating system for your BBQ party needs or to heat your home in a cold climate during winter can be quite an arduous task.
But fret not, in this article, we will help decipher between the two most popular outdoor heating options available: electric and gas.
So what should be considered between outdoor gas and electric heaters?
Having a BBQ party in winter might require a bit of outdoor heating - unless you don't mind the cold...
Electric vs Gas Heating: Which offers the best outdoor heating?
What should be considered between outdoor gas and electric heaters?
Electric and gas heaters are the two most popular outdoor heating options in Australia.
Choosing the perfect outdoor heating system.
Choosing the right outdoor heating system for your BBQ party needs or to heat your home in a cold climate during winter can be quite an arduous task.
But fret not, in this article, we will help decipher between the two most popular outdoor heating options available: electric and gas.
So what should be considered between outdoor gas and electric heaters?
Having a BBQ party in winter might require a bit of outdoor heating - unless you don't mind the cold...
Electric vs Gas Heating: Which offers the best outdoor heating?
So what should be considered between outdoor gas and electric heaters?
Electric vs Gas Heating: Which offers the best outdoor heating?
What should be considered between outdoor gas and electric heaters?
Electric and gas heaters are the two most popular outdoor heating options in Australia.
Choosing the perfect outdoor heating system.
Choosing the right outdoor heating system for your BBQ party needs or to heat your home in a cold climate during winter can be quite an arduous task.
But fret not, in this article, we will help decipher between the two most popular outdoor heating options available: electric and gas.
So what should be considered between outdoor gas and electric heaters?
Having a BBQ party in winter might require a bit of outdoor heating - unless you don't mind the cold...
Electric and gas heaters are the two most popular outdoor heating options in Australia.
Choosing the perfect outdoor heating system.
Choosing the right outdoor heating system for your BBQ party needs or to heat your home in a cold climate during winter can be quite an arduous task.
But fret not, in this article, we will help decipher between the two most popular outdoor heating options available: electric and gas.
So what should be considered between outdoor gas and electric heaters?
Having a BBQ party in winter might require a bit of outdoor heating - unless you don't mind the cold...
Purchase Price
In terms of the upfront purchasing costs, electric heaters are a lot cheaper than gas heaters and have a lower barrier to entry.
Prices will vary depending on the brand, but you could generally buy a 2000W electric heater starting from $169, compared to the upfront cost of a 34 MJ gas heater costing $679, over 4 times the price!
Electric heating has smaller upfront purchase costs.
This means that if you're on a tighter budget but would like to start having some form of outdoor heating in place, you could start with electric heating.
But before you rush with your purchase, there are other factors you might want to think about as well.
Winner: Electric heating, generally cheaper.
Gas heaters can cost over 4 times the price!
Energy Efficiency and Running Costs
In Australia, as of 2022, gas heaters generally have lower running costs compared to electric alternatives as gas heaters are more energy efficient.
It would cost 52 cents for the gas heating variant and 60 cents for the electric heater of similar outputs (2.4kWh/13 MJ).
Gas heaters are typically more energy efficient.
Gas heaters have lower running costs.
It would cost 52 cents for the gas heating variant and 60 cents for the electric heater of similar outputs (2.4kWh/13 MJ).
Although the higher running costs of the electric heaters due to being less energy efficient might be a turn off, this is minor in comparison to the stark difference in upfront purchasing costs.
This might be something you want to consider.
Winner: Gas heating, in terms of energy efficiency.
Installation costs
Generally, there are usually more installation costs associated with a gas heater than with an electric heater.
This is because there are more risks of something going wrong with gas heaters i.e. if there are pipe leaks, parts that are not fitted correctly, or if you require a flue installed through your outdoor roof.
Whereas electric heaters are pretty much plug-and-play.
Electric heaters are pretty much plug-n-play, though this is a photo of a woman fixing a light bulb but you get the idea.
However, it is always best to refer to the product manual in regards to calculating your installation costs as it may differ between products of the same category.
Winner: Depends.
But generally, gas heaters have more set-up costs than electric heating variants.
Purchase Price
In terms of the upfront purchasing costs, electric heaters are a lot cheaper than gas heaters and have a lower barrier to entry.
Prices will vary depending on the brand, but you could generally buy a 2000W electric heater starting from $169, compared to the upfront cost of a 34 MJ gas heater costing $679, over 4 times the price!
Electric heating has smaller upfront purchase costs.
This means that if you're on a tighter budget but would like to start having some form of outdoor heating in place, you could start with electric heating.
But before you rush with your purchase, there are other factors you might want to think about as well.
Winner: Electric heating, generally cheaper.
Gas heaters can cost over 4 times the price!
Energy Efficiency and Running Costs
In Australia, as of 2022, gas heaters generally have lower running costs compared to electric alternatives as gas heaters are more energy efficient.
It would cost 52 cents for the gas heating variant and 60 cents for the electric heater of similar outputs (2.4kWh/13 MJ).
Gas heaters have lower running costs.
It would cost 52 cents for the gas heating variant and 60 cents for the electric heater of similar outputs (2.4kWh/13 MJ).
Although the higher running costs of the electric heaters due to being less energy efficient might be a turn off, this is minor in comparison to the stark difference in upfront purchasing costs.
This might be something you want to consider.
Winner: Gas heating, in terms of energy efficiency.
Gas heaters are typically more energy efficient.
Installation costs
Generally, there are usually more installation costs associated with a gas heater than with an electric heater.
This is because there are more risks of something going wrong with gas heaters i.e. if there are pipe leaks, parts that are not fitted correctly, or if you require a flue installed through your outdoor roof.
Whereas electric heaters are pretty much plug-and-play.
However, it is always best to refer to the product manual in regards to calculating your installation costs as it may differ between products of the same category.
Winner: Depends.
But generally, gas heaters have more set-up costs than electric heating variants.
Electric heaters are pretty much plug-n-play, though this is a photo of a woman fixing a light bulb but you get the idea.
Heating Speed
The heating speed of a heating system may be an important factor to consider depending on the circumstances.
In regards to electric vs gas heating, the latter generally heats the outdoor air temperature much faster due to being more energy efficient.
Winner: Gas heating.
Electric heating takes a while to heat up compared to gas alternatives.
Safety and Maintenance
Both these types of outdoor heating systems have safety risks, such as a cloth or blanket catching on fire from the heaters.
There are also safety risks specific to each type of heating system.
Each requires maintenance for safety.
For example, gas heaters require regular maintenance to ensure that nothing is leaking and that the gas and oxygen combustion is perfect to reduce unwanted gas being produced from the combustion of the gas heaters.
In general, electric heaters have fewer maintenance requirements, but there are some risks that you might need to be aware of.
Considering that electric heaters use electricity, we need to ensure that plugs and cables are properly placed so as to not get wet by outdoor terrain and weather.
One thing that weighing gas heating down is that they produce carbon monoxide and water vapour.
Regular exposure to carbon monoxide might be detrimental to your health, and also water vapour attracts mold.
Winner: None
But generally electric heating has fewer risks to worry about than gas heating.
Covering electric plugs with water-resistant tape might be a good idea to avoid unwanted electric accidents.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, generally speaking, electric heating has a lower barrier to entry in terms of purchase cost, installation costs, and safety maintenance.
However, the running costs of a gas heater are lower. Gas heaters also have a much faster heating speed.
If you're someone with a minimal budget but would like to start having some glorious outdoor winter BBQs, then we would recommend getting electric heating for your outdoor heating needs.
(You can find a great selection of outdoor electric heaters here.)
But if you're someone that values speed and would like a more cost effective monthly expense, then gas heating might be the right fit for you.
(Here are the best outdoor gas heaters available.)
Enjoy comfortable winter BBQs with friends and family thanks to having outdoor heating.
If you're still on the fence about electric vs gas heating and what outdoor heating systems to buy in Australia, we recommend you come to visit the friendly team at Tucker Barbecues and view our wide selection of outdoor heating options.
Cheers!
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Safety and Maintenance
Both these types of outdoor heating systems have safety risks, such as a cloth or blanket catching on fire from the heaters.
There are also safety risks specific to each type of heating system.
Each requires maintenance for safety.
For example, gas heaters require regular maintenance to ensure that nothing is leaking and that the gas and oxygen combustion is perfect to reduce unwanted gas being produced from the combustion of the gas heaters.
In general, electric heaters have fewer maintenance requirements, but there are some risks that you might need to be aware of.
Considering that electric heaters use electricity, we need to ensure that plugs and cables are properly placed so as to not get wet by outdoor terrain and weather.
Covering electric plugs with water-resistant tape might be a good idea to avoid unwanted electric accidents.
One thing that weighing gas heating down is that they produce carbon monoxide and water vapour.
Regular exposure to carbon monoxide might be detrimental to your health, and also water vapour attracts mold.
Winner: None
But generally electric heating has fewer risks to worry about than gas heating.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, generally speaking, electric heating has a lower barrier to entry in terms of purchase cost, installation costs, and safety maintenance.
However, the running costs of a gas heater are lower. Gas heaters also have a much faster heating speed.
Enjoy comfortable winter BBQs with friends and family thanks to having outdoor heating.
If you're someone with a minimal budget but would like to start having some glorious outdoor winter BBQs, then we would recommend getting electric heating for your outdoor heating needs.
(You can find a great selection of outdoor electric heaters here.)
But if you're someone that values speed and would like a more cost effective monthly expense, then gas heating might be the right fit for you.
(Here are the best outdoor gas heaters available.)
If you're still on the fence about electric vs gas heating and what outdoor heating systems to buy in Australia, we recommend you Drop into Tucker Barbecues stores in Mona Vale, Silverwater and Taren Point for some great friendly advice on our products.
Cheers!